Utility rooms have become a necessity for homes where organisation and cleanliness are paramount. But what use do they have, and are they really necessary?
If you’re wondering whether you really need a utility room, what you can put in it, and whether it adds value to your home, we’ve answered all of those questions below. Let’s examine utility rooms and determine whether they’re worth the space they take up.
What is a utility room?
A utility room is a dedicated room in the home that is used for laundry, cleaning and storage.
They’re designed to clear clutter from the kitchen, where we typically do laundry. Instead, piles of washing, baskets, and ironing boards can be stored here, keeping everything tucked away and out of sight.
The best utility room designs make everyday household tasks easier by giving laundry, cleaning products and appliances their own dedicated space.
What is in a utility room?
Typically, a utility room contains a washing machine, a dryer, and a sink, along with some cupboards or shelving for storage.
But really, a utility room can hold whatever you like. You may store appliances like microwaves or air fryers that you’d prefer not to have on your kitchen worktop. It’s really up to you and depends on the space you have available.
If you have a small utility room, clever storage and a well-planned layout can help you make the most of every bit of available space. Some ideas include:
- Washing machine
- Tumble dryer
- Sink - a must for pre-soaking clothes, treating stains or washing shoes
- Wall-mounted drying racks
- Clothes airer
- Ironing board
- Mops, brushes and hoover
- Laundry basket
- Cupboards
- Storage solutions
- Open shelving
- Cleaning products
Benefits of a utility room
Beyond the obvious reasons for having an extra room for extra storage, there are multiple benefits to having a utility room within your home. They include:
Extra storage
An extra room comes with more storage in the home, allowing you to create places to store the essentials of life, such as cleaning supplies, small appliances like irons and steamers, and the must-have sewing box.
Organisation
The ability to keep things organised thanks to extra storage makes finding things within the home a little bit easier. No more spending time searching for shoe polish; it can all be organised and stored in one place.
Reduce clutter
Reduce the amount of clutter you have around your home by finding proper places for it within your utility room. Keep the main spaces of your home clean and clutter-free by making space in your utility to store them away, such as brushes or mops.
Reduce noise
Creating a garage utility room can be another way to move noisy laundry appliances further away from the main living areas of your home. This is a great way to reduce noise in other areas, particularly if you have an open-plan living space. Some people even put their fridges and freezers in the utility room to help reduce the noise from those, too.
Increased productivity
A utility room's great benefit is that it makes chores easier. Everything is in one place and more organised, reducing the time spent on everyday chores and allowing you to have more leisure time.
Increased home value
Adding a utility room to your home will boost its value. The amount is determined by many factors, such as its size, placement, and whether it takes up space within the home.
Attract buyers
A utility room is a plus for buyers when selling a home, so consider adding one if you plan on selling in a few years.
More storage space in the kitchen
By moving your washing machine and tumble dryer to a utility room, you free up space in your kitchen for more storage or appliances, like a dishwasher, which can make your life a little easier.
Does a utility room add value?
Having a utility room will add value to your home, but how much depends on a couple of factors. Have you used space within the home to create the utility? Have you extended it to make a utility space?
Adding extra square footage to your home equates to more money in today’s housing market, but it’s important to use that extra space wisely. Another thing: don’t overspend.
Utility rooms don’t have to take up vast amounts of space- just enough to house your washing machine and dryer, alongside a few other bits- and you’ve got a great addition to the home that adds value. Buyers will see the addition of a utility room as a big tick box in today’s market, too. However, it’s hard to determine an exact figure for what your return would be.
Even a small utility room can be a useful addition if the available space is planned carefully and provides practical storage or somewhere to house laundry appliances. If you want to add value to your home with a utility, it’s worth considering these points:
- Don’t go too big; just add enough space to store essentials.
- Don’t eat into your living space too much.
- Don’t buy all high-end items, particularly cabinets, as they’re likely to get dirty and grimy in this space. Consider buying an ex-display utility to save on costs.
Where is it best to have a utility room?
The best place for a utility room isn’t just anywhere it will fit. Whether you have the luxury of extending your home to make space for one or the beauty of designing a home from scratch, there are some considerations to make when choosing a location.
Consider these options:
The most popular choice is a utility room just off the kitchen, as the two typically go hand in hand. This is where appliances like washing machines and tumble dryers typically live.
If possible, your utility room should have access to an outdoor space. This way, you can conveniently hang washing outside and reduce the need for your tumble dryer.
For homes with large bathrooms, you could make space in there to store your washing machine and tumble dryer. It makes sense if that’s where you take your clothes off and store your laundry basket, and you already have water pipes available here.
If you’re building a home from the bottom up, some people might consider building a utility room upstairs. Put it close to the bathroom for access to water pipes. But consider the fact that you won’t have to take dirty clothes and then clean clothes up and down the stairs. The only downside here is that you don’t have instant access to the outside to dry your clothes when the sun is shining.
For homes with a basement or cellar, it’s a great way to use this dark room. Add your iron and ironing board, and you’ve got an efficient workspace for all of your laundry tasks.
In homes with limited space, you could use the space under the stairs. This area is often forgotten, but it makes a great nook to stash away appliances and make something a little more practical.
A small utility room under the stairs can work particularly well when vertical shelving, fitted cupboards and compact appliances are used to maximise the available area.
If you have a garage attached to your home, even if you’re using it as intended by storing a car in it, you could make a straight run for a utility area within it. This would reduce noise within the home and use dead space that likely isn’t functioning at all.
A garage utility room can also be a practical option for keeping laundry appliances, cleaning products and other household essentials separate from your main living space.
Design tips for creating a utility room
When comparing utility room designs, think about how the layout will work in everyday life as well as how you want the finished room to look.
- Assess your needs: Consider how you will use your utility room, whether you’ll solely use it for laundry, storage, or a combination. Knowing what you’d like to put in there can help you determine the best layout.
- Optimise layout: Write down the sizes of the appliances you’ll be putting in there and arrange them logically. Stacking your washing machine and dryer is the best use of space, but it can only be done if there’s enough headspace. Counter space and a sink should also be made for them. They’re great for pre-soaking clothes and are then needed for folding and sorting laundry.
- Ventilation: Airflow is essential when considering the amount of moisture in laundry. Extractor fans and windows are needed to help prevent a damp room that could lead to mould growth.
- Durable materials: Practical utility room designs should balance appearance with hard-wearing materials that can cope with the demands of a busy household.
- Smart storage: Utility rooms can be the ultimate organised rooms in the house, with cabinets, shelves, and pegboards to aid accessibility. Tall cabinets are a great way to store brushes and mops out of sight, and overhead shelves are ideal for items you don’t use all the time but can’t really throw away.
What is the best flooring for a utility room?
Flooring is an important part of the design process, as it’s a highly moist area and is likely to receive plenty of foot traffic.
When planning a garage utility room, choosing practical flooring is particularly important because the area will need to function as a hardworking household space. There are a few options to consider:
1. Vinyl flooring
Vinyl is a practical choice of flooring for a utility. It’s durable, waterproof, and comes in a variety of styles, including sheets and tiles. Luxury vinyl tiles will, of course, cost a lot more than a sheet of vinyl flooring, so take that into account for your budget. What’s great about sheet vinyl, though, is that it has fewer seams, which reduces the risk of water penetration.
2. Porcelain or ceramic tiles
Porcelain or ceramic tiles are highly durable and water-resistant. They come in a variety of styles, including mimicking natural stone, so you can create a look that flows with the rest of your home. The downside is that they can be cold on your feet if not used with underfloor heating.
3. Laminate flooring
Modern laminate designs are great for creating a wood-like effect without the huge price tag that comes with real wooden floors. Plus, laminate is more moisture-resistant, which is a must in a utility room. When shopping for laminate flooring, look for those specifically designed for areas prone to dampness.
Noise-reduction tips for a utility room
One big benefit of having a utility room is the reduction in noise, as noisy appliances like the washing machine and tumble dryer are stored there. This is particularly useful if you have an open-plan living area that combines your living room, kitchen, and dining area.
If your home allows for it, a garage utility room can help create greater separation between laundry appliances and the rooms where you spend most of your time. To reduce noise, you might want to consider:
- Acoustic panels: Adding acoustic panels to walls or ceilings can help to absorb sound from within the room.
- Seal gaps and cracks: Use weather stripping around the doors and windows to help prevent noise from escaping the room. This also improves energy efficiency.
- Anti-vibration pads: Use anti-vibration pads under your appliances to reduce vibrations from the machines to the floor, as this can help decrease noise.
Creative storage solutions for utility rooms
A utility room is the perfect place to get your organisation hat on. There are a multitude of ways you can keep the space functional.
Storage is particularly important in a small utility room, where making use of walls, corners and vertical space can free up valuable floor and worktop space. Here are some of our favourite creative solutions:
Storage is particularly important in a small utility room, where making use of walls, corners and vertical space can free up valuable floor and worktop space.
Wall-mounted drying racks
Save on floor space with the installation of foldable drying racks on the walls. They’re ideal because they tuck away when they’re not in use. The only downside is you can’t hold tonnes of washing on them.
Overhead shelving
Great for storing items that you don’t use all of the time but still make use of from time to time.
Pull-out cabinets
Pull-out cabinets and drawers are great for storing laundry baskets or cleaning supplies. They are easy to access and can be hidden when not in use.
Brush and mop clips
If you can’t install a tall cabinet to keep brushes and mops hidden away, buy little clips to attach them to the wall and keep them tidy and off the floor.
Wardrobe rail
Install a wardrobe rail to hang up ironing or use it as an extra drying rack. Can you think of any more storage solutions that can make a utility room more useful?
Utility rooms might be a luxury for homeowners, but they’re a great addition to modern homes not just for their functional benefits but also because they add value.
These kinds of flexible storage features can be incorporated into many different utility room designs, meaning you can tailor the space to your exact specifications.
Save money on installing a quality utility run by shopping our range of ex-display utility rooms here at Rehome.
